[Antoninus]

Can’t win so long as Iowa-wundertard boy Ricky Santorum is selfishly splitting the vote.

Then go cry about it somewhere. It appears that Newt has a ceiling of support and there's not a darn thing he can do about it.

Meanwhile, Santorum is out there attacking Romney, picking up important endorsements, and getting the ear of the voters effectively.

If Newt and his minions would join in on the Romney attacks even more vigorously and leave off Santorum, he might actually gain some ground.

This is ALL about knocking off the guy who, according to the polls, is the frontrunner.

[jpsb]

maybe I missed something but it seems to me Newt has been attacking Romney and the blow back for doing so was intense. The attack on Bain did not seem to be very effective but Newt has not backed off. Correct me if I am wrong.

[JediJones]

What in the world are you talking about? Newt and Perry have been vigorously attacking Romney while Santorum has been sitting on the sidelines letting them do the dirty work. He doesn’t look like a fighter now, so why would we expect him to be one against Obama? Santorum is the one who attacked Newt this week. Newt and Perry haven’t gone after Santorum in any noticeable way.

[Windflier]

Gingrich: 21% * Santorum: 13%

The Rick bubble has burst, and will not re-inflate. If he faces up to this and stands aside, I believe that most of his supporters will gravitate to Newt.

I don't know that he'll leave the race without giving it his best shot in SC. Perhaps he and his campaign managers believe in miracles. I don't know. If he stays in and splits the SC vote with Newt, he gives Romney a burst of momentum that will be hard to stop down the line.